When the Light Turns

The summer season has come to an end, and we take a moment to reflect on what has been our busiest and brightest yet. Long days filled with bracing sea air, a sun that never set and endless creativity in the kitchen. We foraged along rocky shores, dived into seaweed glades, played with smoke and salt, and turned wild berries and herbs into unexpected pairings.

Now it’s time to slow down. To listen. To store. To reflect.

What the Land Offered
Looking back, the season invited us into the land to discover what summer had left behind. From the mountains to the local garden beds, it offered an abundance of colour and flavour. A true reflection of Lofoten at this time of year.

Our foraging list has included cloudberries (multebær), blueberries (blåbær), lingonberries (tyttebær), and crowberries (krekling), each with its own texture, sharpness, and sweetness. Alongside the berries, we’ve gathered young shoots and leaves from trees, as well as a variety of wild flowers, plants, and herbs, all ingredients that bring both freshness and depth to the season’s harvest.

We’ve gathered carefully, never more than we need, allowing nature to rest and renew. Some of these plants are used fresh, others dried, fermented, or pickled, for both food and drink. Together, they carry the last taste of summer into the colder months ahead.

Moments Shared
We also brought together people from near and far. Guest chefs, makers, and explorers who came to experience Holmen Lofoten and the landscape that surrounds us. Through Kitchen On The Edge Of The World we shared five weekends shaped by the weather, the ingredients of the season, and the stories told around the table.

Days were spent hiking in the mountains, learning old crafts, cooking together, and being out at sea. Each gathering found its own rhythm, guided by the weather, the light, and the people who joined. New friendships were made, old ones deepened, and adventures were shared. The kitchen buzzed with collaboration and curiosity, a reflection of what Holmen Lofoten is all about: people coming together around food, craft, and the raw beauty of Lofoten.

Looking Ahead
Now, the season has shifted. The sun sits lower in the sky, and the winds have turned colder. The shelves are lined with jars,  pickled, preserved, and fermented reminders of the months behind us. The sea, the land, the light, they shift in rhythm, and so do we. Nothing here is taken for granted. The ingredients decide what we cook; the tides and the weather decide when. This year, the land was generous, the waters clear and full. 

Thank you to all who joined us this far. Our guests, our partners, and our hardworking team who made it all possible. The spirit of the season lingers in every jar, every story, and every memory shared around the table.

As we move towards winter, we do so grounded, ready, and inspired, carrying forward the best of the season that has passed.